Vulnerable Leaders

"Scott Shute is a pioneer in creating workplace mindfulness programs and advancing the discussion around compassion at work. He is at the intersection of the workplace and ancient wisdom traditions, blending his experience as a Silicon Valley executive with his lifelong practice and passion as a wisdom seeker and teacher. In his recent role at LinkedIn, Scott was the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion programs. He is the author of the highly acclaimed book, The Full Body Yes: Change Your Work and Your World from the Inside Out. In part 2 of this interview with Emilie Mogensen, he explores vulnerability as a leadership quality, expanding consciousness, and wisdom practices at work."

- By Emilie Mogensen. Illustrations by Ananya Patel

Q: So, have we not learned anything collectively? Have we not pushed it to the extent of how far the ego can go? Of course.

I think we rise in consciousness, but the challenges are always there. There is still war and destruction, even though we should know better. There are still places where terrible things happen, and there are places where beautiful things happen: consciousness, beauty and love happen. I choose to spend my time where the beauty happens, and change the world from the inside out, and if the rest of the world changes, fine. I focus on me.

Q: So, I am getting a little personal. I noticed you used the word vulnerability a few times in your lectures. At the same time, I sensed a very interesting energy in my own being. I felt it as very vulnerable, which seemed really authentic coming from you. I felt very mesmerized and able to maintain my focus on your messages, despite being a rather impatient, typical entrepreneur. It was very intriguing how you use this quality to come forward with your messages. Is vulnerability a quality we need to be more curious about in the future?

Absolutely! First of all, as humans, we are programmed to mirror vulnerability. In other words, if I share vulnerability, people around will do the same that is how we are wired. There is very interesting research on this.

Regarding vulnerability as a leadership quality, we want to follow leaders who feel real. We want to follow leaders we can identify with. So, if a leader is perfect, steely, and never shows any weakness, they are distant from us, whereas, when we can see ourselves in our leaders, we are much more likely to follow them. I think that is a superpower and works for followership.